Genesis 34:5 - Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field. Jacob held his peace until they came.
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What does "Genesis 34:5" mean?
This verse from Genesis 34:5 sets the stage for the events that follow the rape of Dinah. Let's break it down:
"Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter...": This establishes the core event. Jacob (also known as Israel) receives the devastating news that Shechem, the son of Hamor, a local Hivite prince, has raped his daughter Dinah. The term "defiled" (sometimes translated as "dishonored" or "violated") emphasizes the severity of the act and its impact on Dinah's status and Jacob's family's honor.
"...and his sons were with his livestock in the field.": This tells us where Jacob's sons, Dinah's brothers, are at the time he receives the news. They are tending to their flocks some distance away. This separation is important because it explains why Jacob doesn't immediately react.
"Jacob held his peace until they came.": This is the key part of the verse. Jacob, upon hearing this terrible news, chooses to remain silent and do nothing in the moment. "Held his peace" implies restraint and a deliberate decision not to act rashly. Several interpretations exist for why Jacob does this:
He is shocked and overwhelmed. The news is so awful that he is momentarily paralyzed.
He needs time to process. He might be weighing his options and considering the potential consequences of different courses of action.
He wants to consult with his sons. They are the ones who will ultimately have to defend the family's honor. As a father, and head of the family, it was customary to consult them, especially as the men of the family. He recognized that this situation might require a forceful response, and he wants to have his sons present before making a decision.
He might be aware of his family's precarious position. They are foreigners in the land and could be vulnerable to retaliation from the Hivites. He might be trying to avoid escalating the situation.
Essentially, this verse shows Jacob receiving devastating news and choosing to defer immediate action, likely to consult with his sons about the best course forward, given his family's position and the gravity of the offense. This sets the stage for the deception and violence that follow when Jacob's sons arrive.
Genesis 34:5 - Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter; and his sons were with his livestock in the field. Jacob held his peace until they came.
What does "Genesis 34:5" mean?
This verse from Genesis 34:5 sets the stage for the events that follow the rape of Dinah. Let's break it down:
"Now Jacob heard that he had defiled Dinah, his daughter...": This establishes the core event. Jacob (also known as Israel) receives the devastating news that Shechem, the son of Hamor, a local Hivite prince, has raped his daughter Dinah. The term "defiled" (sometimes translated as "dishonored" or "violated") emphasizes the severity of the act and its impact on Dinah's status and Jacob's family's honor.
"...and his sons were with his livestock in the field.": This tells us where Jacob's sons, Dinah's brothers, are at the time he receives the news. They are tending to their flocks some distance away. This separation is important because it explains why Jacob doesn't immediately react.
"Jacob held his peace until they came.": This is the key part of the verse. Jacob, upon hearing this terrible news, chooses to remain silent and do nothing in the moment. "Held his peace" implies restraint and a deliberate decision not to act rashly. Several interpretations exist for why Jacob does this:
He is shocked and overwhelmed. The news is so awful that he is momentarily paralyzed.
He needs time to process. He might be weighing his options and considering the potential consequences of different courses of action.
He wants to consult with his sons. They are the ones who will ultimately have to defend the family's honor. As a father, and head of the family, it was customary to consult them, especially as the men of the family. He recognized that this situation might require a forceful response, and he wants to have his sons present before making a decision.
He might be aware of his family's precarious position. They are foreigners in the land and could be vulnerable to retaliation from the Hivites. He might be trying to avoid escalating the situation.
Essentially, this verse shows Jacob receiving devastating news and choosing to defer immediate action, likely to consult with his sons about the best course forward, given his family's position and the gravity of the offense. This sets the stage for the deception and violence that follow when Jacob's sons arrive.